Equipment manufacturers start to struggle

Traditional equipment manufacturers, like Marcraft, Marox, and Vittert,struggled in the early 1990s and started to leave the game.

The game in Poland

The U.S. Embassy had a paddle court on the grounds and the new ambassador Nick Rey and his wife Lisa were avid players, and members of Larchmont Yacht Club in Westchester, NY. Lisa wrote back to her Larchmont friends: “Paddle is terrific and a great release of energy and frustrations. I've got a regular Monday morning game, and we've had one round-robin tournament. People don't play a lot, and it’s mostly teachers at the American school, Embassy types, and a few Brits. All are tennis players and basically play it as tennis. I've convinced at least my Monday group to play it as paddle, and the level of play has taken a huge leap……..” Source: Platform Tennis News, Spring 1994

Sports Illustrated recognizes Bill and Dave Childs

It is rare that platform tennis, no less its players, find their way into a national sports magazine, but the "Faces In The Crowd" section in the April issue of Sports Illustrated featured two outstanding champions, the Childs brothers, Bill and Dave. The article documented that they had just successfully defended their 55+ National Championship for the fourth consecutive year. It further noted that they had won the 50+ crown three times in a row. It also recorded Bill's triumph with Birgit Maio in the Mixed Masters Championship, and indicated that he defeated his brother and Alice Duff in a semifinal match in that tournament.

APTA approves new Marox ball Vittert, Marcraft and Marox are now main suppliers

The APTA granted approval to a new platform tennis ball developed by Marox, Inc. of Carteret, New Jersey. The new ball debuted in the 1994-1995 season. Under the auspices of the Rules and Equipment Committee, a sample supply of the new ball was tested in February. When all APTA specifications were met, the Board of Directors gave its approval to this new product in March. Random testing of balls taken from production was planned to assure that the specifications approved for the sample would be met. Source: Platform Tennis News, Spring 1994 and APTA May 1994 BOD Minutes

Charles J. Stephens, Jr. elected APTA President (1994-1997)

Remarks by Stephens upon taking over the reins from Zevnik: "Generally, the first obligation of a new president is to promulgate laudatory remarks about the accomplishments of his predecessor. As 1 ascend to the presidency, that obligation is twofold and it is not really an obligation, but an ancillary privilege for me to have this opportunity to personally thank, publicly, Brian Zevnik, for his achievements during his term of office as president, and to abundantly heap accolades on our retiring past president, Chuck Vasol!. Without Chuck and Brian heading our organization during the frightening period of paddle decadence, I might not have this opportunity to serve you as president. Their achievements over a six year period have placed paddle in the order of proper ascendancy and will now give me an opportunity to continue their achievements in growth and in contribution to our pad[...]

APTA Annual Business and Board Meetings – Balls, marketing needs, and increasing membership

Lineal Group stays on APTA team

The tour was back for a third go-round of the Lineal Group Grand Prix series of national ranking tournaments for men and women. Events would be held in Greenwich, CT; Chicago, lL; Philadelphia, PA; and, Brookside, NJ. Over a thousand players had enjoyed the prizes, favors, and fun spawned by the prize money series in which competitive play and collaborative camaraderie have been the operative passwords. Several new twists were added to the tour as strengths are played up and weaknesses shored up. Approximately $30,000 in cash prizes would be contested, but a third of that would be won out of a special bonus pool that would emphasize expanded play in the four tour events, as well as the Nationals. Source: Platform Tennis News, Summer 1994

Gary Horvath’s “How-To” manuals published

Gary R. Horvath, a former APTA Director, current tennis and platform tennis teaching professional, and author of many articles and comments about platform tennis, called on his years of experience in the game to write four manuals published by R.J. Reilly. Jr. Platform Tennis Courts. Inc. The manuals were titled: • The Fundamentals of Platform Tennis • Taking Your Game to the Next Level • A Platform Tennis Chairman’s Guide to Running a Comprehensive Program • A Curriculum for Conducting a Championship Platform Tennis Instructional Program Source: Platform Tennis News, Summer 1994

APTA relocates Montclair Office

The original sub-leased space had worked well, but the impending sale of the building and future ownership uncertainties necessitated a move. The old office had been located on the second floor of a building in Upper Montclair called Thompson Executive Services. It had a unique feature that enabled several business people to use the computer and other equipment and secretarial abilities of the staff on a "shared" basis. This had worked well for the Association. Fortunately, two individuals who worked for Thompson Executive Services had located new space, developed it to their special needs, and invited the Association to be among their initial clients. Serious negotiation brought about an agreement that would lower the cost to the Association, provide several new advances in equipment and services, and a few more square feet. The office moved in the Fall. Source: Platform Tennis Ne[...]

APTA cancels the Junior National Championships

Junior tournaments for both boys and girls, while lots of fun for the players, had seen declining participation and the APTA was struggling to rekindle interest. In contrast, the 1993 Toronto Championships had over 100 young people playing.